Montgomery County Councilmembers Remember Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou reciting her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 | White House

World-renowned American author and poet Maya Angelou died in her home on May 28 at the age of 86.

We asked the Montgomery County Councilmembers for their thoughts on Angelou and the legacy she leaves behind.

Councilmember Phil Andrews:

“In 1969, Maya Angelou, America’s great humanitarian artist, wrote the best-selling ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.’ She is only gone for now, but her spirit surrounds all of America.”

Councilmember Cherri Branson:

“My favorite quote from Maya Angelou is: ‘One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.’

This particular quote is of significance to me because I first read ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ in High School. She was the first African American woman novelist I read. Her writing made me understand that people like me can have a voice and must use it.”

Councilmember George Leventhal:

“Maya Angelou’s contributions weren’t just in the field of arts and humanities, she enriched our nation’s soul.”

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